The Southern Utah University Student Senate unanimously tabled a bill to remove the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council after extensive senate and public comment against it at their March 19 meeting. In addition to this, they passed a bill to publicize SUU Student Association compensation and donated $900 toward the College of Health Sciences’ events this week.
DEI Council Removal temporarily halted
The drafting of SB #23/24-30 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council Removal comes in response to the state’s HB 261 Equal Opportunity Initiatives, which requires either removal or replacement of all current offices and initiatives with the intent of supporting diversity, equity and inclusion on campus.
The bill’s tabling will provide more time for the Student Senate to explore alternative options before they move any further in the process of compliance with HB 261.
“This is a failsafe to prevent more harm, but as it is now, it is not something that we are willing to accept,” Q Center Representative Adam Oliphant stated. “The DEI Council has no intention of simply ceasing to exist, and we’re going to continue to support the students that we represent.”
If the senate chooses to revisit the tabled bill later in their session, its passing would mean the removal of the DEI Council on June 30, 2024. However, both the senate members and the public alike expressed a need to explore all alternative options still in compliance with the state law before relying on SB #23/24-30.
“I understand that there will be an eventual need for a termination of this council, but I would feel more comfortable if there were to be another joint bill presented where the necessary changes are made,” Arianna Marroquin, vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion said.
HB 261 takes effect on July 1, 2024, so if the senate has not passed an alternative or joint bill by that time, the possibility that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council Removal will become reality could increase.
Bill to increase SUUSA transparency passed
Graduate School Senator Cody Dirks outlined and introduced a bill that would make all aspects of the compensation of SUUSA members known to the public, including stipends.
“I feel very passionately about this bill; we as SUUSA have been really trying to be more transparent with everything that we do,” Dirks said. “I personally felt, along with some of my other co-sponsors, that we should be publishing our stipend amounts. Students should be able to see those amounts and see where their student fees are going to.”
The bill passed unanimously and will take effect immediately, being fully implemented by April 26, 2024.
College of Health Sciences reimbursed for week of events
As part of a week-long initiative to increase involvement with the student body, the College of Health Sciences is hosting multiple events. However, with a limited budget, College of Health Sciences Senator Brooklyn Henderson called on the senate to help by providing $900 to contribute to the schoolwide events.
“So far, we’ve had two events, and we’ve seen pretty good student engagement,” Henderson stated. “I believe that we’re doing good things with this initiative, and we’re increasing engagement.”
The money contributed to the College of Health Sciences will make the events for the remainder of the week possible, including two HOPE Pantry Test Kitchen events and Farm Friday, where the SUU Farm will bring its lambs to one of the campus quads to interact with students.
The Student Senate meets every other Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Starlight Room on the second floor of the Sharwan Smith Student Center. Students are welcome to attend and encouraged to voice any concerns or comments they may have.
Author: Kale Nelson
Photo courtesy of SUU
Editor: Anna Mower
news@suunews.net
